1. Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region Regional Criteria for Evaluating Water Management Plans for the Sacramento River Contractors

2. WELCOME Agenda Introduction Background Regional Criteria Comments

3. Water Conservation Laws Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (RRA) Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 (CVPIA)

4. RRA Requirements ●Each Contractors shall develop a Water Conservation Plan (Plan) ●Each Plan shall contain: Definite goals Water conservation measures Time schedule for meeting objectives

5. CVPIA Requirements The Secretary shall: Develop criteria to evaluate Plans which: –Include EWMPs identified for Ag Water Suppliers (State) or –Provides for reasonable alternatives

6. Standard Criteria Developed Standard Criteria in 1993 Revised every 3 years (1996, 1999, 2002) 2002 Criteria: Provides Contractors the option of pooling resources and implementing joint programs Provided alternatives, i.e. Quantifiable Objectives

7. Administrative Proposal 1995 – Interior invited the public to comment on CVPIA implementation 1997 – Final CVPIA Administrative Proposal on Water Conservation –Recommended development of Regional Criteria for the Sacramento Valley as an experimental first step –Measurement – Resolve by collecting additional info within Districts

8. Regional Criteria – How did we get here? Initiated Public Scoping in 1997 15 Stakeholders interviewed in August 1997 Public Workshops held – October 1 and 28, 1997 Comments received from the public

10. Sacramento Valley Regional Criteria First workshop resulted in three alternatives Regional BMP Needs analysis with negotiated efficiency Objectives driven (QOs) Second workshop Selected QO approach and explored potential QOs

11. Sacramento Valley Regional Criteria Drafted Regional Criteria Unresolved issues included: Undefined QOs Water measurement approach

12. Development of Regional Criteria – Restarted Process: 2002 Utilized defined QO methodology defined by CALFED Measurement Study proposal from the Sac River Contractors

13. Quantifiable Objectives

14. Specific to Ag projects Identify improvements on a Watershed Basis (Targeted Benefits) Demand Reduction (Reduction in ET) Water Quality (Reduction in NPS Pollution) Environmental (Improved Stream Flows)

15. Quantifiable Objectives Quantify the change that will be required for the improvement Allow early spring flow event of approximately 8,000-10,000 cfs in dry years Reduce in ET by 5 percent Reduce Nitrates in River to 10ppm Establish practices that will lead to all or a portion of the improvement.

16. Multiple Benefits of Rerouted Flows ET Irrecoverable Loss Recoverable Loss River Reduce rerouted flow: no supply gain, but increases stream flow and improves quality Rerouted Flow

17. Targeted Benefits: Categories by Region

18. Linking Benefits to Sub-Regions Want to use incentives to motivate locals to address these benefits 21 Sub-Regions

19. Quantifiable Objectives Approach

20. Analyze QOs For Non–Applicability List Non–Applicable Prioritize Applicable QOs Develop Proposed QO/Year 1 Develop Proposed QO/Year 2 Develop Proposed QO/Year 3 Develop Proposed QO/Year 4 Develop Proposed QO/Year 5 Identify Actions

21. Quantifiable Objectives Currently developed – 33 QOs Contractors to: Assess QOs for non-applicability Develop six potential QOs per year Develop implementation plan for each QO –Include specific actions and analysis for local/overall benefits and costs

22. Analyze QOs for Non-Applicability QOs currently being implemented through other Regional activities CALFED Science Program has determined the QO and/or related TB are no longer warranted Participating Contractors are not able to affect related TB

23. Prioritize QOs for Analysis & Quantification Information in the Annual Update to include: Preliminary prioritization of proposed QOs based on specific considerations Annual analyze 1/5 th of proposed QOs for implementation (one for each sub-region) Progress tracked in the Annual Update (actions and funding efforts)

24. Potential Measures Consider Improved grower education Implementation of appropriate Pricing and Measurement

25. Regional Measurement Program

26. Contractor to measure volume of water delivered to each customer, and Implement procedures providing incentives for improved water management, or

27. Regional Measurement Program Initiate implementation of a mutually acceptable measurement program within 3 years of contract renewal Full implementation within 5 years thereof Based on results from field studies Shall be at lease as effective as the measurement provision in the Standard Criteria

28. Monitoring Program Document existing conditions for flows and water quality constituents for selected QOs Update these conditions annually Monitoring Program to include: Specific monitoring for each objective Schedule, budget, and responsibility for monitoring Annual Reporting requirements

29. Regional Criteria – Pilot Study These Regional Criteria are a pilot study If not found to be as effective, will revert to the current Standard Criteria

30. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION www.usbr.gov/mp/watershare

31. Comments